All posts by h79snht.top

On the verge of breaking the elite that is the ‘Top Four’, established as one of the Premier League’s top six sides and possessing a bright young side full of potential, it is hard to believe that only twelve months ago these were the attributes of an Aston Villa side under Martin O’Neill’s management. However, after a season that only secured their Premier League survival this weekend, with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal, it is safe to say it has been a long season for the Villa faithful. Can Aston Villa expect more of the same next season or will we see the prospect of European Football return to Villa Park?

Gerard Houiller, in this writer’s humble opinion, isn’t the man to do this. The Frenchman replaced O’Neill, a man who is famous for his spiky demeanour and impulsive behaviour, but it was this personality that pushed Aston Villa closer than they had ever done to repeating the success of the 80’s. The former Liverpool manager is quite the opposite to his predecessor, reserved, ‘set in his ways’ and, lets face it, a PR nightmare (seems to display more devotion to Liverpool fans than those of Aston Villa). Aston Villa’s owner should look to replace the 63 year old with a young visionary of a manager, who could reshape the club from the bottom up.

As key as a manager is to success, the players of course must carry the burden as well. One player doesn’t make the team, but perhaps two do? In the space of a year or so, Villa lost captain Gareth Barry and inspirational winger James Milner. Despite obtaining Stephen Ireland in the Milner deal (Ireland has proved nothing but a transfer flop), the current Villa side hasn’t replaced and moved forward their young and bright team that promised so much. Such talents as Marc Albrighton, Nathan Delfouneso and Barry Bannan all show glimpses of ability but as of yet cannot be relied on, which will be a major problem for the Villains next season if Ashley Young does ‘jump ship’ to Old Trafford or Anfield.

Investment has proved to be the main factor in propelling clubs to success (Manchester City this season, for example) and as of yet it’s hard to gauge whether Randy Lerner is going to be that man to inject some cash into the club. £24 million on Darren Bent and £6 million on Jean Makoun is a good starting point, but should Stewart Downing and Ashley Young leave for rather substantial fees it is paramount that the money is bankrolled back into the team. If not, it could be argued that the couple of big money signings Lerner has done could just be him preventing his assets losing substantial value by getting relegated.

When all is said and done, one thing has to be remembered, better teams than this current crop of players have gone through the Premier League’s trapdoor.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

If the Premier League get the chance to test out goal-line technology, it will be the first time in a while I have used these words: Great decision. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it should be introduced to the game. We should have had it for the past 10 years and I don’t know why FIFA haven’t done it before now. It’s just common sense and this is an era when we should have clear-cut decisions, because there is no need to debate whether a ball has crossed the line. There have been so many incidents over the years – and that ridiculous Spurs goal at Old Trafford still gets to me. How was that not given?

The issue has become a joke and I’ll be very glad when it’s sorted out. Think about how long people have debated Geoff Hurst’s controversial 1966 World Cup final goal. No one knew if it had crossed the line, and it was only really given because Roger Hunt put his hand up to claim it. Hunt deserved to have his name on that goal. In fact, a few years ago he went to the funeral of the Azerbaijani linesman who awarded it. We all asked Roger if he knew the great man’s last words. Roger reckons he said: “It’s over.”

[divider]

At least the introduction of video technology will bring an end to corny jokes like that and bad decisions. I think Frank Lampard’s non-goal against Germany at last year’s World Cup was the final straw. Even Sepp Blatter couldn’t bend that one if he tried! It should have counted – end of story. It’s been proven beyond doubt that match officials make mistakes. And it’s understandable, as linos have to keep up with play and if someone scores from 20 yards, how can they reach the touchline to see in time?

Modern sport has grown with TV, with millions of people watching who see things the officials can’t. You get technology in cricket, horse racing and tennis, so it must come into football too – but only for goal-line decisions. We do not want somebody appealing for a foul or penalty and holding up the game, as it would kill it.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[divider]

This reminds me of when football first started to be televised. At the time, Jimmy Hill was bringing it to the BBC, and I can remember Joe Mercer having a word with him. Joe was a terrific player from Arsenal, but he wasn’t impressed with his games being on TV and told Jimmy so. Back then, players liked to exaggerate their goals to people who hadn’t been at the game. Joe liked to tell people he had beaten five men and banged one in the top corner, even if it was just a tap in! As soon as he couldn’t embellish how great he was, he said the romance of the game was dying.

For sure, when goal-line technology is introduced, the romance will be dead. But we’ll have that one thing we all love more than anything – proper goals.

As a passionate Sunderland fan I normally look forward to the summer with added excitement. It’s a period that renews anticipation and this time around Martin O’Neill gets his first real chance to renovate his squad and push the club forward to the next level.

There’s a feeling that this is the club’s time to finally realise its potential but deep down I know that sentiment is more akin to a Stadium of Light PR sheet than my own expectations.

Sadly amidst all the hope that surrounds our new era, I find myself feeling an all too familiar sense of déjà vu. There’s been many a false dawn at Sunderland and as the years pass it becomes harder to assess why I would submit myself to so much pain and heartache when there’s so little my beloved club can achieve.

Like so many fans of a team stuck in the mid table pack, my best hope for a successful season is finishing in the top ten and possibly enjoying a cup run. It’s become acceptable to have these watered down ambitions and it stifles the giddy enthusiasm I once possessed.

Experts say this is the most competitive league in the world. Where else will relegation threatened Wigan Athletic overturn title chasing Manchester United? Any team can beat anyone on their day and the increasing regularity of shock results means the League has a more attractive flavour. This trend certainly helps motivate lesser teams to raise their game but just because Sunderland beat Manchester City with an epic last minute goal from Ji Dong-Won, doesn’t mean I expect them to suddenly challenge for the title.

With that in mind, what’s constitutes realistic ambition for a mid table club?

For starters the Premier League has an obvious pecking order. Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have dominated the last decade while Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have managed to break rank and edge ahead of Liverpool. Everton and Newcastle United have both made strides to follow but it remains to be seen if they can build on their occasional success. Still they’ve worked their way out of mid table so are perhaps the best inspiration for the teams below them.

That leaves the likes of Aston Villa, Fulham, Stoke City, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion to battle over who finishes 9th to 14th. For the last few seasons these teams have been separated by a handful of points and often a win on the final day is the difference between them. Fans find it impossible to read anything into their final standings and any sense of achievement is soured because it’s such an underwhelming end to the campaign. These teams were good enough to avoid the relegation dogfight yet have nothing to play for.

Villa are Premier League mainstays but lately they’ve fallen from grace while the others have all managed to establish themselves since promotion. Fulham and Stoke have even tasted European football and are an excellent example for teams like Norwich City, QPR and Swansea City who will be looking to push on after survival but are happy just to remain in the league once more.

While it’s frustrating having nothing to play for, the bigger picture is your team progressively improving year on year so they can eventually break the mould. The problem is everyone is constantly improving so in order for teams to get better they must invest in superior players. This seems obvious but the best young talent is snapped up by the top sides while their ageing castoffs provide progressively deteriorating experience to the  lesser sides and end up leaving or retiring with little or no sell on value.

It’s a vicious cycle that’s tough to break and given that soon there will be no place for billionaire investors it’s hard to see how things will ever change. Newcastle showed last season it can be done but if they lose their best players this summer it will illustrate how difficult it is to sustain regular progression without peaking just outside the elite group. With a hint of jealousy I can begrudgingly admit they’ve made giant strides but if they can’t replicate this season’s success then what hope is there for the chasing pack?

As much as I would love Sunderland to be challenging for Europe, the recurring trend is we’re in small group of teams that are left with nothing to play for and end up taking pride in ruining the aspirations of others. After effectively relegating Wolves, Black Cats fans celebrated the culmination of our season by taunting heartbroken Manchester United supporters with The Poznan after City snatched the title.

Acting as rationally as possible, it’s bizarre for me to be disappointed by Sunderland establishing themselves in the top flight, enjoying a cup run and avoiding the threat of relegation. That constitutes improvement and is greatly appreciated after years of yo-yoing between the Premier League and Championship.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It’s just saddening to have to accept that the only realistic place for my team is as perennial spoilers and not as genuine challengers.

Would you be happy if your team finished mid table? Do Sunderland have realistic expectations? Will Sunderland ever challenge for Europe?

Let me know your views and opinions by following me on twitter – Tweet me @Alex_Churcher

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has admitted he could have a problem should a club of the stature of Manchester United come calling for Darren Bent.

Bent is the Black Cats' seven-goal leading scorer after an eye-catching start to the season.

The 26-year-old is now a regular in the England squad 15 months after arriving at the Stadium of Light from Tottenham.

Wayne Rooney's unhappiness at United could see the Old Trafford club enter the market for a replacement in January.

But although vowing to keep hold of his star striker, Bruce has admitted it would be hard to keep Bent on Wearside should the Red Devils come calling.

"When you see the records and goal scoring charts Benty is always up there. Rooney, Drogba, Bent. I hope nothing will happen," he said.

"That is a problem all managers face from time to time. It is the nature of football that there are merry-go-rounds but I don't want to pre-empt it.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"At Sunderland we can turn everything down but silly money.

"Ultimately as we have witnessed at Man U player power is unbelievable."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

The Mackems have certainly responded well to that rather embarrassing derby defeat at St James Park and coming off that win over Chelsea confidence won’t have been any higher this season.

Unbeaten at home, solid at the back, a hard-working midfield and now they have two quality strikers, Everton have a tough task to come away from the Stadium of Light with anything, despite the good run they’ve been on lately.

Fingers crossed Steve Bruce will start with Asamoah Gyan and Darren Bent up front, if the English striker is passed fit, rather than packing out his midfield. The Toffees have had the best of things between these two in recent times but Sunderland are on a roll and look a good bet at 8/5.

Fergie will be hoping that his three new signings will be enough to wrestle their title back from West London. A lot of United fans are sceptical as to whether Sir Alex has done enough to strengthen the squad, to fill all the voids that were evident last season.

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Man United blogs which has included…Fergie pulls out a transfer rabbit? United should take Morgan’s comments with a pinch of salt and ten things United must do to regain a title.

Plus we have taken a look at the best Man United stories on the Web this week

Has Sir Alex pulled another transfer rabbit out of the hat?

The heir to Paul Scholes’ throne?

A Wayne Rooney non-story right to be condemned

Man Utd should take Morgan’s comments with a pinch of salt

TEN things United must do to regain the title

Right decision for him and ultimately Manchester United

A United signing that provides more questions than answers

Third time lucky for Berbatov?

EIGHT things that will happen this Premier League season

London vs Manchester but where will the title go?

*

Best of Web

*

Finally, a plan B – United Rant

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

How many shirts Greg? Don’t believe the hype….. – Andersred blog

Comparing United To Arsenal and Chelsea After Homegrown Rule – RoM

Bébé the street kid now living the dream at Manchester United – Guardian

(Video)Chris Smalling talks Community Shield & joining United – The Busby Way

Achtung! No German footballers for Ferguson – Truly Reds

Few shocks in the FA Cup yesterday with non-league Crawley the only club punching above their weight. Notts County will be hoping to do a job on Manchester City today, as the once highly ambitious County faces a club who actually had the resources to make that a reality. It will be tough for Paul Ince’s men, although as they say anything is possible in the FA Cup.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Tottenham denying ground claims, player plus deal could secure Torres, while Gareth Southgate to take key role in FA coaching set-up.

*

Spurs deny ground claims – Sky Sports

Player plus cash could seal Torres deal – Guardian

BBC backs Groves after sexist comments – Daily Telegraph

Kenny Dalglish: I’d have gone potty over a bad call – Daily Mail

David Silva has no regrets about choosing the Blue half of Manchester – Mirror

Southgate to take key FA coaching role in shake-up – Independent

Redknapp to make last-ditch Diarra loan raid – Mirror

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Wenger backs Wilshere for England role – Guardian

Ba – I will save Hammers – Sky Sports

Vieira eager to extend Man City career – Guardian

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has stated that Arsene Wenger will turn the club’s fortunes around, and that if he was to be sacked it would be a big mistake.

The Gunners have had an inconsistent 2011-12, and are at risk of missing out on the top four due to the competitive nature of the Premier League this season.

Despite questions being raised over Wenger’s continued stewardship in the media, Petit has urged the club to trust in their current manager.

“I think that will be probably the biggest mistake at Arsenal,” the 41-year-old is reported to have said in The Daily Mail.

“If Arsene has to leave the club they need to find a big manager to settle down and that would be very difficult for the next manager.

“I think Arsene’s still the solution. They need to change a few things in the transfer market, change a few things in their politics to bring a competitive team.

“I think it’s mentally that the team is very weak. I think Arsene Wenger and Arsenal did build many successes. Arsenal won many trophies.

“They had experienced players with big characters and all of a sudden Arsene Wenger decided to change completely the team, decided to put confidence in young players and we have to admire that because I think with the new regulations I think financially Arsenal’s politics in the transfer market have been right so far in terms of not making big speculation on players.

“I was a big admirer of Arsenal’s politics for five years. They were probably the best team after Barcelona in terms of football. But unfortunately for them last season was the final cut, especially the Carling Cup final against Birmingham.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“They need more experienced players, more big characters in the team because the quality is there and they need some players to be the mentors in the team,” the Frenchman concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

[ffcvideo file=”tfcbtitle3″ type=”mp4″ image_type=”jpg”]

When Arsenal announced that three statues were to be unveiled on Friday outside The Emirates the debate about their identities was bound to consume Arsenal fans, each with their own special memories, each with their own favourite players. The trio of Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry were revealed but not all agreed. Most of the talk on the Internet predicted that Thierry Henry and Wenger would be accompanied by one other, the identity of which varied from person to person depending on their generation and therefore favourite players. Writers such as The Mirror’s John Cross claimed that whilst the three figures warranted their place on the plinths so did so many other individuals such as George Graham, and Ian Wright. To a certain extent this is true.

Ian Wright was one of the best and most charismatic Arsenal players that I have witnessed in my two decades of watching Arsenal. In the latter George Graham years he was almost the soul outlet for a largely defensive side and the personality the exuded from both himself and his football made ‘boring’ Arsenal a pleasure to watch. To break Cliff Bastin’s scoring record as he did was a remarkable feat considering he played in such a defensive side under Graham and he was unfortunate that his record was so short lived due to the mercurial Henry. But that is the point really; however good Wright was, and he was an exceptional talent, Henry was better and he not only broke Wright’s record but he beat it by more than forty goals.

I think that ahead of Wright in the queue would come Bergkamp too. Bergkamp’s move to Arsenal was a seminal moment not only for Arsenal but also for all English clubs. Prior to the Dutchman their had been few players from the continent who had come over to England with their best years ahead of them as Dennis did. Bergkamp encapsulated Wenger’s new look Arsenal perfectly and brought a touch of class to the Premier League that was rarely seen before and we have rarely seen since.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

As for George Graham there can be no doubt that he was a truly wonderful manager for Arsenal and a lot of Wenger’s early success was partly down to the defensive solidity that Graham had instilled in his team. However the cloud under which he left tainted the fans’ memory of him and like Ian Wright he was not the most successful of his kind, Wenger is. Although Wenger might not have a statue at present we can know with close to certainty that we he eventually steps down a fourth statue will be raised in his honour. Many people were surprised about his omission but you don’t make people saints before they’ve passed away and in the same way you don’t honour a manager’s achievements when there are still more to come. He is our longest serving and most successful manager and the transformation he has instigated in both English football and at Arsenal football club have been nothing short of breathtaking. He will have his statue, but not yet.

To have omitted Herbert Chapman would have been to disrespect the history and roots of the football club itself. Chapman won Arsenal their first ever trophies in the double winning season of 1930/31 and successfully persuaded the authorities to change Gillespie Road tube station to Arsenal tube station. In all senses of the expression Chapman put Arsenal on the map. He laid the foundations for success at this club and if it wasn’t for his sudden death in 1934 he could and would have achieved a lot more.

If we could have a hundred statues to remember a hundred players I’m sure we could find players to be their subject but the fact is then we wouldn’t be celebrating these few individuals who have really made the biggest difference. Obviously that is a hard accolade to quantify but in that way you have to consider which individuals have statistically done the most. Adams is the most successful captain we’ve ever had and Henry is our all time top goal scorer. Chapman was the first ever truly successful manager of our club and you can be sure that our most successful manager ever will get his statue when he retires. Ultimately the statues could have included Liam Brady, Dennis Bergkamp, Vieira, Cliff Bastin, Alan Smith, David Rocastle and many others but the point of the statues is to celebrate the best of the best and not the best of the rest. That is what has been done.

For more Arsenal news and stories follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay

[divider]

 FREE football app that pays you CASH

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’qs-2′ align=’left’]

Last month, Arsenal were among a host of Premier League clubs rumoured to be weighing up a bid for Brighton defender Lewis Dunk.

Following numerous injuries to the clubs defenders, the 19 year old defender has become an integral part of a Brighton side that has thus far excelled itself in the Champonship this season. An uncompromising centre back that looks set to have a big future in the game.

Now, after 13 impressive appearances this season, both Spurs and Man City are said to have joined the race for the youngster, with at least £5 million expected to be necessary to persuade Brighton to part with the talented youngster.

Money talks, and if a big club or big clubs were to come in for Dunk in January Brighton would almost certainly be powerless to keep the player, as manager Gus Poyet has already accepted, ‘He is going to play in the Premier League that is something I cannot control.’

It should asked however, what is in the best interests of Dunk? Many a footballer has been touted as the next big thing, got that ‘dream’ move to a top club, only to then see their career stall as first team opportunities are limited.

The importance of choosing the right club is paramount to whether a player will make it. Take two of Dunk’s supposed suitors, Arsenal and Manchester City. If Dunk were to move to North London, one thing that could be guaranteed is that he would be given a chance by Arsene Wenger, at a club so deeply grounded in youth development. Indeed, if he were to move from Brighton, his career may not stall.

Yet, let’s say Dunk gets his move in January not to Arsenal but instead to Manchester City, surely the chance of him getting his chance would be exceptionally slim? The sad fact is, the highest bidder for a youngster is where they would likely end up, whether that is the best place for him or not.

For many, the best possible scenario for the youngster will be at least another season at Brighton, first team football at any level is vital and the Championship is an exceptionally competitive and talented league. If Dunk is allowed to finish his footballing education at Brighton, he will be far better placed to fashion a long and successful career and avoid being another talented youngster thrown on the scrapheap.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Comment below and follow me on Twitter @CamHumphries for cutting edge debate regarding all things sport. 

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]